Capsule filling device



Aug. 6, 1935. J R PATTEE CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1952 11v VENTOR B Y J2 fin R Pal-t ee A TTSRISVE rs Aug. 6, 1935.

J. R. PATTEE CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 S M U T ,C N Z? W /m 5 n 0 J Cir.

Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 1 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in capsule filling devices and is particularly directed to a portable device for use by pharmacists in compounding physicians prescriptions.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a device of simple construction for dividing a quantity of powder into a number of equal parts and for charging the same into capsules.

Another object of the invention is. the provision of a device of the character indicated which can be adjusted to accommodate any desired number of capsules up to the capacity of the device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for ejecting the capsules from the device after the same have been filled.

Still further objects of this invention will be manifest from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base plate assembly carrying the pistons and ejecting pins;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cylinder block showing the pistons in one position therein;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the pistons in another position and the adjusting wedge;

. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the cylinder block, pistons and capsule block all in inverted position; 7

Fig. 6 isa sectional view showing the ejecting pins in operation; and

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a modified form of device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I designates a measuring or cylinder block which may be molded phenol plastic or other suitable material such as' bakelite, rubber, metal or the like. The upper end of this block is cut out to form a tray 2 adapted to accommodate a capsule receiving block 3. The cylinder block I is also bored to provide a plurality of vertical measuring chambers or cylinders 4 extending through the block from the bottom of the block to and terminating in the'bottom of the tray 2 so as to be in communication therewith.

The capsule block 3 has a corresponding number of cavities 5 adapted to register with the respective cylinders in the cylinder block I when the capsule block is in position'in the tray 2. The bottom of each cavity 5 is provided with an opening ii'oi smaller diameter than the diameter of the cavity proper. The purpose of these holes is to facilitate the removal of capsules from the block 3 as will hereinafter be explained.

'Thecapsule block 3 may be made of some resil- 4, 1932, Serial No. 647,153

ient'or elastic material such as rubber or rubber compoundsand the diameter and depth of the cavities 5 are of sufficient dimensions whereby the capsules will closely fit therein, minor inequalities in the dimensions being taken up by 5 the elasticity'of the material from which the block is made.

' The base plate assembly shown in Fig. 2 comprises a base plate I having a plurality of pistons 8 projecting from its upper face and corresponding 10 in number and arrangement to the cylinders 4 in the cylinder block I. The heads of the pistons 8 are a close fit in their respective cylinders. The body portion of the pistons are slightly less in diameter than the heads for the purpose of elimii5 nating the possibility of the pistons becoming jammed in the cylinders.

The pistons 8 are adapted for longitudinal movement in the cylinders 4 and when the same have reached their limit of movement inwardly of the cylinders the heads of the pistons will project slightly into the tray 2.

A plurality of ejecting pins 9 are carried by the under side of the base plate I and correspond in number and arrangement to the pistons on the opposite side of the plate. These ejecting pins are slightly less in diameter than the openings 6 in the capsule block so that they can be inserted in the holes 6 for the purpose of ejecting the capsules when filled as will be hereinafter pointed out. These ejecting pins 9, however, may if desired be carried on a separate plate. l

Opposite'sides of the cylinder block I are cut away to provide inclined projecting surfaces Ill which are adapted to accommodate the upper edges of the inclined walls ll of a double walled wedge l2. The lower edges of the walls II are horizontal and adapted to engage the base plate 1 as shown in Fig. 1.

As will be obvious from Fig. 1, as the wedge 12 is moved from left to right the cylinder block and the base plate will be moved away from each other causing the pistons 8 to move outwardly of the cylinders 4. The wedge l2 in addition to 15 'moving the pistons in their respective cylinders also serves to maintain the pistons against lateral movement therein.

In using my device the wedge I2 is first moved to the left as Viewed in Fig. 1 and the cylinder 550 block pushed down on the base plate 1 so as to move the pistons inwardly in the cylinders to the limit of their movement. When the pistons have reached the limit of their inward movement the heads of the pistons will project slightly into the 55 tray 2. The prescription may be compounded in the usual manner and the desired amount of powder poured into the tray 2. We will assume that sixteen capsules it are required. The wedge 62 may then be gradually moved from left to right as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby forcing the pistons 3 outwardly of ti e cylinder. As the wedge is being so moved the device may be tapped or shaken slightly or agitated in any desired manner to permit the powder to fall into the cylinders d. When all of the powder is filled into the cylinders to the depth permitted by the pistons, movement of the wedge is stopped and the pistons are maintained in this position by means of the wedge l2.

The capsule block 3 having capsules l3 in each of its cavities may then be placed in the tray with the open end of the capsules extending downwardly and registering with the cylinders 4. The wedge may then be removed or moved to the extreme left as viewed in Fig. 1 and the cylinder block and base plate moved toward each other to force the powder out of each cylinder into the capsules. As above stated, the-pistons on their limit-of movement inwardly will project slightly into the tray. From this it will be obvious that the pistons will enter the open end of the capsules I3 to insure that all the powder is charged into the capsules. The device is then inverted as shown in Fig. 5 and the capsule block 3 together with the filled capsules l3 removed.

The capsule block 3 may then be placed upon the ejecting pins 9 as shown in Fig. 6 and pressed downwardly to partially eject the capsules as shown in Fig. 6, the ejecting pins 9 being of a length shorter than the cavities 5 in the capsule block 3. When the capsules are in this position caps may be applied thereto and the capsules removed.

The modified form of device shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in the other figures, except that in the modified form the device is cylindrical' and instead of=-employing the wedge I2 I here employ a cylindrical, sleeve M interiorly threadedv to receive the externally threaded cylinder-block [5 corresponding, to the block i above referred to. The base plate in' this form carries pistons on its upper face as in the first form above described and ejecting pins on its under face.

In either form of device if it should be desired to fill any number of capsules less than the maxi mum number of cylinders it is-merely necessary before filling the cylinders to plug up the cylinders not desired, that is, should. the prescription call for twelve capsules instead ot-sixteeen then inthe firstform of my device fourof theholes should be plugged. In Figs 1 I have illustrated a form 'of'plug l6 adapted to: be. used for this purpose. Insome instances'it may notbe necessary to plug all of the unused cylinders, as for instance in the case of an eight capsule prescription it would merely be necessary to plugup: four of thecylinders Q in either of the center'rows, the-plugs forming a wall, and the'powder-may be pouredinto the tray to oneside ofthis wall.

In: fillingthe tray 2 with powder, if plugs are employed it will merely be necessary to force the pistons inwardly to the limitof their'movement restricted by theplugs l5 asiIlustra-ted in Fig. 3.

These; plugs as:will be understood are removed after'the powder is'filled into the cylinders and before applying the capsule block and the capsule block will contain capsules in the cavities registering with the filled cylinders.

It'is to be understood that various modificaticns may be made in either of the embodiments of my invention above described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A capsule filling device comprising a. cylinder block having a tray formed in one end thereof, cylinders in said block extending through the bottom of said tray for receiving powder therefrom, and a capsule block provided with cavities for receiving capsules, said block fitting said tray, said cylinders and cavities being so disposed that when said block and tray are assembled said cylinders and cavities will register with each other.

2. A capsule filling device comprising a cylinder blockhaving a tray formed in one end thereof, cylinders in said block extending through the bottom of said tray for receiving powder therefrom, a capsule block provided with cavities for receiving capsules, said block fitting said tray, said cylinders and cavities being so disposed that when said block and tray are assembled said cylinders and cavities will register with each other, and means for forcing the powder from the cylinders intov the capsules.

3. In a capsule filling device the combination of a tray, measuring chambers in communication with said tray for receiving powder therefrom, and plugs for insertion into certain of said chambers to form a wall to prevent the entrance of .pcwder'into the chambers not to be filled.

4. In a capsule filling device, the combination of a block, a tray formed in one end thereof, measuring chambers in said block extending through the bottom of said tray to receive powder therefrom, a capsule block having cavities therein for receiving capsules, said last-mentioned block fitting in said tray, pistons entering said chambers from the end of said first-mentioned block opposite to said tray for discharging powder from said chambers into the capsules carried by said capsule block, and means for jecting the filled capsules from said block.

5. In a capsule filling device the combination of a cylinder block, a tray formed therein, cylinders communicating with said tray to receive powder therefrom, pistons in said cylinders, means for adjusting said pistons in said cylinders to measure powder therein, a capsule block adapted to fit said tray so that capsules carried by the capsule block will have their open ends in communication with said cylinders, movement of the pistons inwardly of said cylinders forcing the powder out of said cylinders into said capsules.

6. In a capsule filling device the combination of a powder measuring block having a plurality of measuring chambers therein, a base plate, pistons carried by said base plate, a capsule receiving block adapted to fit on said block, the open ends of the capsules in said block being in communication with said measuring chambers, projections on said b1ock,and a member for engaging said projections and said base plate for moving said pistons, said pistons on their inward movement charging powder into said capsules.

7. In a capsulefilling device thecombination of a powder measuring block having a plurality of measuring chambers therein, a base plate, pistons carried by said base plate, a capsule receiving block adapted to fit on said block, the open ends of the capsules in said block being in communication with said measuring chambers, projections on said block, and a member intermediate and engaging said projections and said base plate for moving said pistons, said pistons on their inward movement charging powder into said capsules, and ejecting pins carried by said base plate for ejecting said capsules from said capsule receiving block.

8. In a capsule filling device the combination of a powder measuring block having a powder receiving tray formed in the upper end thereof, a plurality of measuring chambers in said block extending through the bottom of said tray, a base plate, pistons carried by said base plate and adapted to enter the lower end of said block, a capsule receiving block fitting in said tray, the open ends of the capsules in said capsule receiving block registering with said measuring chambers, said measuring block having opposite sides cut away to provide inclined projecting surfaces, a wedge shaped member adapted to engage said projections and said base plate to move said pistons in said cylinders to vary the capacity of the said measuring chambers.

9. In a capsule filling device the combination of a powder measuring block having a flat bottom powder receiving tray formed in the upper end thereof, a plurality of measuring chambers in said block, said chambers extending through the bottom of said tray, a base plate, pistons carried by said base plate and adapted to enter the lower end of said block, a capsule receiving block fitting in said tray, the open ends of the capsules in said block registering with said measuring chambers, and a member movable relatively to said measuring block and base plate to move said pistons outwardly of the said measuring chambers to vary the capacity thereof.

JOHN R. PA'I'IEE. 

